The newly completed HSE West ambulance base located one mile west of Mulranny village will commence day operations next month according to Mulranny GP and former TD, Dr Jerry Cowley. The new base will provide state-of-the–art ambulance services to the local populations of Achill, Corraun, Mulranny, Tiernaur, Newport, and Louisburgh, and north along the N59 towards Ballycroy and Bangor Erris.
The site and buildings sold to the HSE were originally constructed by the not-for-profit community owned Mulranny Industrial Development Trust Company Ltd. Local GP and company chairman Dr Cowley said that his board will use the proceeds of the sale of the building to further develop industrial facilities in Mulranny. Additional industrial units will be constructed behind the new ambulance base once planning permission becomes available.
What started as a facility for young local entrepreneurs to get on their feet over the years has been transformed into a lifesaving facility.
“As an Independent TD in the Dáil I fought hard to ensure that this essential service would come about when €1.5 million was allocated for this project. As a GP for the area, I greatly welcome this facility as I know many more lives will be saved, especially when a 24 hour service is finally provided from this base,” said Dr Cowley.
Dr Cowley paid tribute to Padraic O’Riordan, area operations manager, HSE Ambulance Service West, and all others who had assisted in any way with the project. In particular he praised the local landowners who had generously provided the land for the facility. He also paid tribute to his fellow board members of Mulranny Industrial Development Trust Company: Michael Joe Ginnelly, John Loftus, James Grealis, Padraic Doherty, Tom Doherty, and Martin Hanley. He thanked TH Contractors, and McManamon Mechanical Services for their fine work in converting the former industrial units to a modern ambulance base.
Dr Cowley hopes that in time a 24 hour helipad will also be provided at the Mulranny base where the new helicopter emergency ambulance service can land when required.
